Moving back and forth between the Turks and Caicos and one’s native country may sound all jet-setty and glamorous, but there’s work involved and re-entry issues both ways. Mostly, these involve changing one’s habits to adjust to the other environment. It’s what gives you a bit of disorientation the first couple of days, no matter which direction your travel takes you.
For me, the habits that change are largely personal or household-based. Here are the changes between Aloe House (AH) and Richmond, Va. (RVA):
AH-Put on sunscreen before taking a walk. RVA-Put on lip balm before taking a walk.
AH-Freeze meat and vegetable scraps and other organic garbage until the day you actually put out the garbage. RVA-Put veggie scraps in the compost jar and use the disposal for meat scraps. AH-On garbage day, tote your bags to the nice bin at the end of the lane that Addison made. RVA-(oh, this is embarrassing)-Remember which days the Trash Fairies (yes, real name) pick up outside the apartment door.
AH-Hang out the laundry. RVA-Watch TV while waiting for the dryer to buzz.
AH-Spray yourself with Off! when you go out for the evening. RVA-Going out for the evening? What?
AH-Sweep and mop. RVA-Run the vacuum.
AH-Drive on the left. Curse the tourists who forget to drive on the left and come down the road straight at you. Wave at all other drivers. RVA-Drive on the right. Panic when you think your husband is not in the proper lane when he makes a turn. Forget that you do not know the guy driving a vehicle that looks exactly like Farrington’s and wave at a stranger.
RVA-Read the newspaper. AH-Check your news website.
RVA-Go downstairs and check your mailbox. AH-Ummm, remember the days when there were post offices on North Caicos and you could actually get your New Yorker magazine.
Okay, those are my changes of habit. Anyone out there have others? Please share.